KungPaoSchwinn

I am currently riding a 09' FX 7.3 and thinking about adding a Navigator 3.0 to the stable,i checked their website and any comments are welcome,thanks.

Rob_U

I've owned a Navigator 2.0 for a couple of years - it got me back into cycling. But this year I bought a 7.5FX, for the lighter frame, and faster gearing. I am keeping the Navigator (I did switch the 2" tires for 1.5" invert treads) for pulling our son's Burley trailer this year, and for a trail-a-bike attachment next year. I might also use the Navigator with it's rack and pannier for some fill-in shopping trips, and if I want to go out on a rail trail that's surfaced in gravel. Overall though, for solo riding, or riding with my wife (without our son along), organized rides, and paved trails I will be using the 7.5FX. The navigators seem more comfortable for short rides, but they are heavy and less efficient than your 7.3FX. The Navigator is more like an SUV, and the FX is like a sports sedan, where a road bike is like an Indy car. If you need a bike to haul things, or to ride slowly for shorter rides it's great for that (the suspension lock-outs on the 3.0 are a good upgrade from the 2.0), but keep your FX for any long or organized rides. After riding the Navigator, the FX makes me feel like I can fly!

Rob

Wanderer

I rode a neighbor's Navigator around the neighborhood for awhile. It's OK for neighborhood riding, with the little kids, but kind of slow and clunky for anything else. At one time, I was thinking about buying it, and he even offered to give it to me for free. It is still in his shed, even though I clean and lubricate it every spring for him. It hasn't left his shed (other than come across the street for annual cleaning) in three years.

It's kinda like a Marin Stinson, without steroids....... And, the Marin is kinda slow and week!

My opinion - with your FX, you will never want to ride the Navigator.

Dunbar

I have a Navigator 1.0 (rigid) and it's great if you're out of shape or using it for causal riding. It doesn't feel very stable at higher speed and mine only has 7 gears which slows climbing and reduces crusing speed. The riding position is very comfortable but not ideal for putting power down. I do like the bike but kind of wish I went with the Trek 7000 series in hindsight (since I rarely go off road.) If comfort is your priority I see nothing wrong with that style as long as you know their limitations.

Siu Blue Wind

I have a Navigator 3.0 and I bought it mainly to ride on paths with the family. Bring-a-picnic sorta bike. It's more of a cruising and looking at the flowers and scenery around you type of bicycle. Not meant for speed but would be good for jaunts when you need to do errands. Heavy bike, around 38 lbs unladen. I love it though. I use it for those days when I just want to chill.



When I want to go crazy I pull out the full suspension mountain bike.

KungPaoSchwinn

That's exactly what i am planing to do with it, keep the comments coming,thanks.

KungPaoSchwinn

Hi, i was able to checked out and rdde a 3.0 model,i didnt check well enough in the store however, is it correct that the 3.0 has trigger shifter and 2.0 has grip shifter? I looked at the pics on Trek site,i just want to be sure,,nice bike you guys have.

Ron B

I believe you are right about the trigger vs. grip shifters....I posted on another thread but I met a guy a few days ago that retired from work (Yahoooooo) bought a Navigator and has been without a car for a number of years now. He lives on that bike....I forgot but he told me he's gone through a number of tires having worn them out. He uses it for shopping, commuting, getting from here to there etc. He probably bikes more than the bike enthusiasts on this site - as it is his means of transportation. He obviously thinks a lot of it. I like it too!